FIA’s new F1 rule on flexible wings sparked controversy as McLaren outsmarted rivals, with Hamilton calling the directive a waste.
Günther Steiner rejected Lewis Hamilton’s claim that the new Formula 1 directive on flexible wings was a “waste of money,” asserting that complying with the stricter tests was actually “inexpensive” for the teams.
He also added that it ultimately benefited McLaren F1 rather than the opposite.
The FIA began further restricting the movement of these aerodynamic components at this month’s Spanish Grand Prix, with all cars now required to pass stricter static load tests on front wing flex.
All teams had to design new front wings in line with the new regulation and were given sufficient time to do so, having been informed of the change back in January.
After the race in Barcelona, Hamilton was quick to criticise the technical directive (read more here), arguing it was merely a “waste of money,” as “everyone’s wings are still flexing, but the flex is just reduced by half.”
He added that his Ferrari felt “about the same,” although he noted a reduction in driving comfort.
Now, former Haas F1 team principal Günther Steiner has dismissed Hamilton’s comments, suggesting that teams did not need to spend nearly as much as the British driver implied.
“This less flexible wing was ultimately almost the same for everyone. Lewis said all that money was wasted to do this and that sort of thing — there was no money wasted. You just have to make sure the wing doesn’t flex as much.”
“McLaren simply added an extra support to the wing so that it wouldn’t bend as much. Getting rid of that flexible wing was therefore a very cheap solution, and most did the same. That partly explains why other teams complained — it was an inexpensive attempt to slow McLaren down.”
“On the other hand, it’s funny, but what did they gain? Nothing. They handed McLaren an extra advantage. We wasted time, not money!”
Despite speculation that this directive could shake up the competitive order, McLaren maintained its dominance in Spain, with another one-two finish for the Woking team, Oscar Piastri ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
For Steiner, McLaren’s ability to recover the lost edge through front wing redesign reflects the strength of its engineering department.
“McLaren knows exactly what to do with the car. If they lose the flexible wing or the effect it gives them, they go into the wind tunnel and try to replicate what they did to recover the same balance on the car. And maybe they don’t reach 100%, but they reach 99.8%.”
